Master Beef Producer Classes Begin Thursday



The Cannon/DeKalb County Extension Offices have scheduled a series of classes this fall for those Producers eager to participate in the University of Tennessee Master Beef Program.

Along with the information gained from the event, producers will also receive a MBP notebook, cap and a Master Beef Producer Farm Sign.

Producers are urged to contact the Cannon County (615) 563-2554 or DeKalb (615) 597-4945) Extension Office to sign up for the Master Beef Producer program.

Sessions will be held on Tuesday and Thursday nights in order to complete the requirements necessary to meet the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Ag Enhancement guidelines.

To qualify for the 50% cost share, producers must complete the educational class related to their operations: Master Beef Producer (MBP), Master Meat Goat (MMGP, or three or more Tennessee Quality Milk Initiative Program (TQMI) modules prior to program reimbursement deadline.

The Ag Enhancement Livestock Equipment and Livestock Feed Storage program reimbursement deadlines are December 1, 2009. The fall session will conclude on November 24, making participants eligible for the 50% cost share advantage.

In order to graduate and become an official Master Beef Producer, you must attend a minimum of 8 of the 10 educational sessions. The sessions will begin on the 15th of October with the final meeting being help on November 24th.

The classes will be held at the Woodbury Lions Club Building or downstairs of the Cannon County Extension Office from 6:30 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. The topics covered in the sessions will include managing and planning for success, marketing, genetics, carcass traits, feeding and managing the cow herd, forage production, reproduction, herd health, cattle handling and behavior, environmental concerns and food safety.

The cost of the course is $160.00. If you have a premise ID number and a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) number, the cost is $60.00. On October 15, we will have a BQA certification training. This training is conducted by the UT Extension Service and is managed by the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association.

If you are interested in participating in a Master Beef Producer a program, please drop by the Cannon or DeKalb County Extension Office or give us a call at (615) 563-2554 or (615) 597-4945). Getting your premise identification number and/or BQA number can be done prior to or during the MBP workshops. Each of which must be completed prior to graduation.

This is where we stand to date –

October 15 – Planning for success and complete registration – Dallas Manning

October 20 – Handling Facility & Food Safety – Bruce Steelman and Heath Nokes

October 22 – Carcass Traits – Dr. Jessica Gentry Carter

October 27 – Health Care – Dr. Kevin Cox

October 29 – Reproduction – Randall Robbins

November 5 – Forages – Steve Harris

November 10 – Coop Night – Davy Sneed

November 12 – Feeding Cow Herd – Dr. Paul Davis

November 17 – Marketing of Beef Production – Dr. Emmitt Rawls

November 19 – Genetics – Richard Brown

November 24 – Management for beef operations – Dallas Manning

TBA - Master Beef producer Graduation